Surname Hertkens - Meaning and Origin

Hertkens: What does the surname Hertkens mean?

The surname Hertkens is a Dutch patronymic surname meaning "son of Hert," with the personal name Hert being derived from an Old Germanic element meaning "hard," "firm," or "strong." The name is found mainly in the northern areas of the Netherlands, primarily in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen.

The earliest known recording of the surname in the area appears in a 1366 document recording the baptism of a Jacobus Hertkens in Weerdige, Friesland. Over the following centuries, the name spread throughout other parts of the Netherlands. By the early nineteenth century, branches of the family were found in both large cities and in more rural areas.

Today, variations of the name Hertkens are still found mainly in the Netherlands, although some branches have spread into other parts of Europe. Within the Dutch community, the name is associated with a history of hard work and industry, as befitting its original meaning. Some of the prominent members of the Hertkens family include Jelle Hertkens, a politician, and Tom Hertkens, a successful artist.

Hertkens: Where does the name Hertkens come from?

The surname Hertkens is found predominantly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and is a variation of the Dutch surname Hertkens, originating in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It is believed to be derived from a German personal name, Hertz, meaning 'strong' or 'brave'. The surname is also found in other regions of Europe such as the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.

In the Netherlands, the surname Hertkens is found mainly in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Overijssel. It is also relatively common in the provinces of Gelderland, Flevoland, Noord-Brabant, Limburg, and Utrecht. In Belgium, Hertkens is primarily found in the provinces of Limburg, Antwerp, and West Flanders.

In Germany, the surname is most frequently found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Lower Saxony. The German variant of Hertkens is typically written as Hertkens in the country.

In Germany, North America, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the surname Hertkens is often encountered in its anglicized form of Hertkins. It is believed that the surname was adapted to its anglicized form in the eighteenth century, as it became increasingly popular in these regions.

As of 2021, the last name Hertkens is still common across Europe and throughout the world, making it one of the oldest surviving surnames. Many bearers of the surname are concentrated in the countries where it originated, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

Variations of the surname Hertkens

The surname Hertkens is a Dutch name. It has many variants and spellings, most of which originate from the same source or location. The most common variants of Hertkens are Hertgen, Herten, Hartgen, Harten, Hertkant, Hertkanen, Hertkens, Hertgers, Hertgerzen, Hertgens, Hartgens, Hertgerkens, Hertgerkingen, Hertkeningen, Hertkenners, Hertkewers, Herzgen, Herzten and Hertzbergen.

The surname originated in the Netherlands and is derived from the Dutch word “herte”, meaning “heart”. This refers to a person who lived near a heart-shaped lake, river, or mountain. As the name spread, the people who bore it moved to other parts of the country and adopted various spellings to fit their new locations.

The surname Hertkens is often associated with several other related surnames, such as Hert racket, Hert ricket, Hert rickson, Hert ricksen, Hertzberger, Hertzing, Hertzman, Hertzingen, Hertzenberg, Hertzog, Hertzoggen, and Hertzog-Hirtz.

Many of the surnames associated with Hertkens are derived from either its original Dutch roots or a village in Germany names Hirtzfeld. While some people may have adopted these surnames from their ancestral homes, others could have synthesized their own versions.

The surname Hertkens is a relatively uncommon one today, but it still lives on in many parts of the world, especially in its various spellings and variations. It is a reminder of a centuries-old Dutch naming tradition that still influences many parts of the world today.

Famous people with the name Hertkens

• Huib Hertkens: Dutch composer.
• Merlijn Hertkens: Dutch classical violinist.
• Peter Hertkens: Dutch cinematographer.
• Agnes Hertkens: Dutch journalist and author.
• Paul Hertkens: Dutch philosopher and academic.
• Wim Hertkens: Dutch psychologist and academic.
• Edwin Hertkens: Belgian footballer.
• Philippe Hertkens: Belgian Racing driver.
• Jan Hertkens: Belgian painter and sculptor.
• Willeke Hertkens: Dutch artist and photographer.

Other surnames

Hertke